SOCCER: FAI SCHOOLS SENIOR GIRLS LEINSTER CUP FINAL
Molloy magic crushes ACC hopes of retaining Leinster crown
ATHLONE COMMUNITY COLLEGE……………………..2
PRESENTATION SS, KILKENNY…………………………4
DAIRE WALSH
ATHLONE Community College suffered heartache in Dublin on Monday afternoon as they fell to defeat at the hands of Presentation SS, Kilkenny in this Leinster Schools Senior Cup decider.
Having overcome the same opposition in Portlaoise 12 months ago, Athlone had their sights set on retaining their crown. Despite enjoying a perfect start to the contest – Róise Lennon’s penalty offered them an early advantage – the tables were subsequently turned at the home of Peamount United.
With 12 of the 2019 final squad back in harness, Edel Menton’s side were in fine shape for their latest shot at Leinster glory. But with the inspired figure of Ellen Molloy scoring a stunning hat-trick for Presentation, Athlone fell short in the end.
Straight from the kick-off, they forced Presentation on the back-foot and received their just rewards inside the opening minute. Opposition netminder Cliodhna Kenny came off her line in a bid to halt Athlone’s maiden attack.
She couldn’t avert the danger and when Hope Glynn’s resulting strike was handled on the line by a retreating defender, a penalty was awarded to the defending champions. Lennon stepped forward to negotiate this spot-kick and the midfielder expertly fired beyond the reach of Kenny.
Though this understandably sent the Athlone bench and supporters into raptures, a Presentation backlash was anticipated nonetheless. Winger Sarah Barcoe was released on the right and forced a fine save out of Athlone custodian Cianna Meehan.
The Westmeath side continued to pose a potent threat in the final third, particularly when Robyn Heatherington was set free down the left. Lennon’s deflected effort in the 16th minute was gathered low by the aforementioned Kenny, while Aimee O’Connor also tested the resolve of the Noreside shotstopper.
When the ball broke free in the area to Glynn at the tail end of a later move, she looked set to extend Athlone’s lead. Yet much to the relief of their opponents, she fired agonisingly over the woodwork.
Presentation visibly grew in confidence on the all-weather surface and their equaliser duly arrived on 25 minutes. Picking up possession deep inside the Athlone half, Molloy proceeded to unleash a powerful strike to Meehan’s net.
And although Allie Heatherington fired just over on the half-hour mark, the Athlone defence was placed under increasing pressure in the closing stages of the opening period.
Centre-halves Kayleigh Shine and Megan Kelly largely held in firm, however, and the sides were ultimately inseparable at the break. It remained tight on the resumption, but Glynn was denied by Kenny’s point-blank save off a precise Allie Heatherington delivery.
While Shine had a header cleared off the line moments later, Presentation edged in front on 54 minutes to give them a psychological edge. Molloy was at the centre of the Kilkenny team’s best play and she doubled her tally with a superb finish from a 25-yard free kick.
Aisling Walsh was immediately thrust into the Athlone attack – joining half-time substitute Laoise O’Brien – but she was removed just seven minutes later with a serious looking knee injury. Stephanie O’Neill was the third CC player to be introduced and she was still finding her feet when Presentation extended the gap just past the hour.
Niamh Phelan lofted the ball towards the goal, where Molloy was on hand to supply a cool finish at the near post. Athlone were left with a mountain to climb as a consequence and the outcome was effectively placed beyond doubt when Presentation grabbed another goal with just eight minutes remaining.
Following a previous effort that was ruled out for a foul on Meehan, Phelan got the better of Midlands number one after a Hannah Clifford set-piece had smashed against the crossbar. To Athlone’s eternal credit, they persevered with their challenge in the dying moments.
Shine had a low shot turned away by Kenny in stoppage-time and immediately raced across to take a corner on the left. Her inch-perfect ball into the box was clinical headed home by O’Connor.
Even though victory was beyond their reach, Athlone did their utmost to try and wrestle back another goal. It didn’t pan out in the end for the Retreat Road outfit, but there could be no faulting their endeavours on the day.
ATHLONE COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Cianna Meehan; Grace Hannon, Kayleigh Shine, Megan Kelly, Breena Breheny (Laoise O’Brien half-time); Róise Lennon, Andrea Whyte (Aisling Walsh 54)(Stephanie O’Neill 61)); Allie Heatherington, Aimee O’Connor, Robyn Heatherington; Hope Glynn.
PRESENTATION SS, KILKENNY: Cliodhna Kenny; Keara Ryan, Shauna Coady, Katie Ryan, Anna Purcell; Hannah Clifford, Cliodhna Donnelly; Sarah Barcoe, Ellen Molloy, Freya Hardy Petit De Mange; Niamh Phelan.
In A Nutshell
Player of the match
Robyn Heatherington (Athlone CC)
Utilising her pace and invention, Heatherington was a thorn in the side of the Presentation rearguard for large stretches of the opening period. She was close to scoring on a number of occasions and also created a number of chances for her fellow attackers. Centre-half Kayleigh Shine led by example for Athlone while hat-trick hero Ellen Molloy was a clear standout for Presentation Kilkenny.
KEY MOMENT
When Allie Heatherington picked out Hope Glynn in the area with 49 minutes on the clock, it looked Athlone were ready to restore their lead. However, Cliodhna Kenny stood firm to turn her effort away. Presentation turned the tables on their opponents through Molloy’s second of the game just five minutes later and never looked back from that point.